Comedy legend dies of heart complications aged 78

Comedy legend James Gregory Jr. died on Wednesday at the age of 78.

Gregory, known to fans as “the funniest man in America” since the 1980s, died of heart complications.

According to a press release, the Georgia native has completed work on his first and only autobiography, “A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of ‘The Funniest Man in America,’ James Gregory,” which will be published in November 2024 .

Although he is often considered a “Southern” comedian, he never used the term in his performances and, in fact, worked frequently throughout North America doing what he described as “down-to-earth, common sense” humor.

“The way I see it, you’re not just my audience. You are my customers,” read an excerpt from his autobiography.

James was a radio icon with thousands of appearances on local shows and hundreds more on popular syndicated programs, including John Boy & Billy, Rick & Bubba and Bob & Tom.

RELATED: 5 Things You Should Know About “The Funniest Man in America.”

He turned down an appearance on “The Tonight Show” because he refused to “speed up” his act, and instead found a home as one of the most frequent guests ever on The Nashville Network (TNN), where he was a radio favorite and TV personality Ralph Emery on his nightly talk show “Nashville Now.”

James was born about 25 miles east of Atlanta in a rural area and many of his jokes are based on his observations of country life. Its website states: “It is storytelling at its finest. The typical caricature is the essence of humorist James Gregory’s comedy: exciting reflections on life on the porch.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app.